Hundreds Of Michigan Dentists Among Those Hit By Tax Fraud Scam

DETROIT (WWJ) – Over 330 dentists across the state have reported they’ve been hit by fraud in a tax return scam, according to the Michigan Dental Association.

Macomb County Dr. David Borlas says it was disconcerting to find out that someone, somehow, had gotten hold of his Social Security number and filed a tax return in his name.

“The same way there’d be anxiety if you lose your wallet, you know. Am I gonna stop those credit cards in time? Is somebody using my driver’s license right now to buy a new car? I mean, all that stuff gets you,” said Borlas. “There’s nothing worse than, first of all, getting a letter from the IRS and you don’t know what’s in it.”

“The best word is hassle: big one,” he said, adding that he spent six or seven hours on the phone, sorting it all out.

“It involves everything from notifying both the state, the feds, Federal Trade Commission, the various credit reporting such as Trans Union, Experian, et cetera,” Borlas said. “And all the forms you have to fill out for the government.”

The Michigan Dental Association said the crooks targeted dentists and other health professionals in several states, and it’s still unclear how the hackers got a hold of the information.